St. John’s Lutheran Church of Austin is celebrating its 100th anniversary next weekend with special services led by former members of its congregation.

The Rev. John Schleicher of Holland, Mich. will serve as liturgist for the Saturday, June 28 service at 6 p.m.; Dr. Robert Holst, president of Concordia University, St. Paul, will serve as the preacher.

For the Sunday, June 29 service at 9 a.m., the Rev. Jason Auringer of Wentzville, Mo. will be the liturgist and the Rev. Tim Runtsch of Fort Collins, Colo. will give the sermon.

Three of these pastors were confirmed at St. John’s and all are considered “sons” of the congregation.

St. John’s current pastor, the Rev. William Natzke, has 40 years of experience; 22 of those years have been here in Austin. He is only the sixth pastor St. John’s has had since it was founded, and has announced he plans to retire in August.

Founded by the Rev. Christian A. Affelt of Trinity Lutheran Church in Waltham, Minn., the first St. John’s congregation had 51; the church now has about 550 members.

The church moved in 1972 from its former location on Kenwood and College Avenue (now Fourth Street and Second Avenue Southwest) to 1200 13th Ave. N.W., where the church remains today.

St. John’s offers education for both adults and children, including Bible classes, Sunday School, small study groups and Vacation Bible School.

Troy Miller has served as director of Christian education for the past five years. The Sunday School educates children from preschool through eighth-grade.

“We try to target ministries for these age groups,” he said.

The church is even providing regular services for one ethnic group, the Sudanese. The group is small, but still have a gathering place to worship in Austin.

St. John’s Sunday services have been broadcast on the radio for 60 years, and can currently be heard on KAUS.

The public is invited to the centennial celebrations. A meal will be provided after the Sunday service, and church memorabilia will be on display.